Atlanta police: Gangs responsible for 15 Craigslist robberies

ATLANTA – Police say two Atlanta street gangs used fake car ads to lure victims on Craigslist. Seven people have been arrested, including a mother and her two sons. Police are attributing the robberies to two street gangs.

Atlanta Police Deputy Chief Darryl Tolleson said more than $20,000 was stolen from the victims in 15 robberies. “We are fortunate that none of these robberies turned into something far worse,” he said.

That sentiment is not lost on Janeailos Pachero, one of the victims.

“Oh man, I was thinking I was going to die,” he said.

Pachero was lured to 1797 Hadlock Street in SW Atlanta on July 3, 2014. He saw an ad on Craigslist for a 2007 BMW. The alleged owners of the vehicle told Pachero they wanted to get rid of it because they were moving out of town and would sell it for $4,000.

Pachero was told to bring the money in cash to the address. But when he got there he didn’t see the car.

“Two guys, they come and put the gun to my head and me, my friends, so they take everything, my wallet, the money, the phones,” he said.

From June to December 2014, 14 other victims were robbed at the same location or within a block. The robberies either took place on Hadlock Street or at an apartment complex at 1700 Stanton Road.